Kuldhara is a village situated in the Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan, and the one and the only reason why it has managed to highlight itself on the Indian map is that it is haunted. Yes, intriguingly, many people believe to have seen ghosts here. However, tracing back its history this village was established sometime in the 13th century.
However, what is further interesting to know is the fact that there was a time when this place was considered quite prosperous. Hard to believe, isn't it? There was a time when this place was inhabited by the Paliwal Brahmins which in itself is a sign of prosperity.
Best Time to Visit Kuldhara
But then for some unknown reasons, around the 19th century, this village was left completely abandoned. Experts and many others claim that it happened due to the dwindling water supply, owing to the persecution by Jaisalmer’s State Minister, Salim Singh. Lately, a study was also conducted to analyze the reasons for such exodus and the conclusion suggested that it might be due to an earthquake. Perhaps it was because of this reason that Kuldhara acquired the reputation of a haunted site. And, then it was sometime only around 2010 that this village was essentially developed as a tourist spot.
History of Kuldhara
Historically, the village of Kuldhara was established by the Brahmin community. These Brahmins, as they had originated from a place known as Pali, are called Paliwalas. A history book written by Laxmi Chand in 1899, Tawarikh-i-Jaisalmer, describes that a Brahmin named Kadhan was the first person who came to settle in this village. He also successfully excavated a pond named Udhansar in the village.
Major Attractions in and Around Kuldhara
1. Jaisalmer Fort
One of the most revered forts in India, Jaisalmer Fort carries a certain aura around itself which is one of the reasons why a great number of tourists visit it on an annual basis. It was built around 1156 AD by Rajput Rawal and is the second oldest fort in Rajasthan. Just to witness the beauty of this interesting historical phenomenon living and breathing, even in the present is reason enough to visit and explore this fort.
2. Desert National Park
It is situated near Jaisalmer and Barmer and covers an area of about 3162 sq. km. This national park is actually a brilliant example of the ecosystem thriving in the Thar desert. It is actually a haven for the migratory birds as this place offers just the right kind of ecological balance for their survival.
How to Reach Kuldhara
To reach Kuldhara in Jaisalmer, you need to cover a total distance of about 776, 1,072, 2,111, 2,044 km from Indian destinations like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru respectively. Check out the following details on how you can travel to Kuldhara by the following means of public transport.
By Air
Deboard at the Jaisalmer Airport (JSA) or Jodhpur Airport (JDH) situated 25-30 km and 303 km away respectively. The Jaisalmer Airport is primarily a civil enclave on an airbase. However, if you are not able to find a flight to Jaisalmer Airport then you can consider deboarding at Jodhpur Airport. It is well-connected with several other Indian cities. From the airport, cover the remaining distance by some means of public transport.
Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available to Kuldhara
By Train
Jaisalmer has good connectivity via rail network. One can quite conveniently take a train from many prominent cities and deboard at Jaisalmer Railway Station. However, the most amazing experience would be to travel via ‘Palace on Wheels’ the luxury train which was launched by the Indian Railways in association with Rajasthan Tourism. It starts from New Delhi and travels via Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bharatpur, and Agra returning to New Delhi. From the Jaisalmer station, you will need to cover another 20-30 km distance for which, you can consider booking a cab or some other means of public transport.
By Road
Depending on your location, you can consider traveling to Kuldhara by roadways as well. From nearby cities and towns, you can consider booking interstate/private buses or take a taxi. Otherwise, you can also take your own vehicle to reach here.
- From Ahmedabad - 546 km via NH68
- From Ajmer - 520 km via NH125
- From Udaipur - 503 km via NH27
Frequently Asked Questions about Kuldhara
Q. What is the nearest city to Kuldhara?
A. The nearest city to Kuldhara is Jaisalmer, which is located about 25 km away.
You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven circuit planner. Click here.
